Ventilated seat



1927' F. IMAHNKEN VENTILATED SEAT Filed Jul 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zW 4 aktor na# Jan. 18, 1927. l,6l4,622

F. MAHNKEN VENTILATED S EAT Filed July 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Shet 2 PatentedJan. 18, 19 27'.

UNITED ;STATES PATENT OFF/ICE.

FRANK MAHNKEN, OF BEABDSTCDWN, ILLINOIS.

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4 Application flled l'uly 80, 1926. Serial No. 128380.

This invention relates to ventilated seats and more particularly to ameans for providing forced ventilation of the seats of closet bowls.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is automatic in its operation and in operation only whenthe seat is occupied.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a device of suchcharacter that it may be constructed employing a seat similar io tilleseats now employed upon the closet A further 'object of the invention isto provide a ventilating apparatus of this character wherein theventilation is provided through the seat proper and the Construction issuch that movement of the seat from opelrl to closed position is notinterfered wit x A further object of the invention is to provide in adevice of this character a ventilating conduit, the operation of whichis controlled by a check valve which is likewise operated by the seat,so that a plurality of bowls may be connected in series with a singlemotor and at the same time the ventilating apparatus operates only withthe occupied seat.

` These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in theaccompanying drawing, wher-ein for the purpose of illustration is showna preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:--

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing ventilating apparatus applied tothe seat of a closet bowl in accordance with my invention; Figure 2 is alan view of the seat and its mountings partally broken away to show thechamber within the seat;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the pivot eyes in which the seathinge is mounted;

Figure 4 is a sectional View through the controlling switch; Figura 5 isa transverse sectional view through the seat;

Figure 6 is a detail rear elevation' o t a portion of the conduitshowing the Operating mechanism for the check valve; Figure 7 is avertical sectional View showing in solid lines the position of thevalve,while the seat is elevated at its 'rear end and in dotted lines theposition of the valve when the seat is depressed, the Operatingmechanism :for the valve being designated in Construction lines; i

Figur-e 8 is a front. elevation of the spring contact of the switch.

Referring nowmore particularly to the drawings, the rumeral 10 indicatesa closet sea-t which, in accordance with my invention, has formed in itsunder surface a cavity 11 providing an annular air chamber with whichcommunicates notches 12 extending to the inner edge of the seat. Theunder surfaces of the cavity 11 and notches 12 are closed by a rubbergasket 13 which serves notonly to close these under surfaces, but alsoas a g'asket for engagement with the bowl 14 of the closet seat to sealthe seat thereto. With the cavity 11 at the center of the back of theseat communicates the stem 15 of a tubular T, the head 16 of which hasone end thereof closed by a cap 17 and the oppos'te end thereofcommunicating through a swiveled joint 18 with a conduit 19 leading tothe intake of a suction fan 20, the exhaust of which communicates with astack 21.' At opposite sides of the stem are engaged pivot eyes 22mounted in the usual manner upon the bowl 14 and having the eyes 23thereof vertically elongated.) Through the bottom walls of these eyes,adjusting screws 24 extend to limit the downward movement of the thrustblocks 24'& The adjusting screws have axial bores 24 and between theends of the adjusting screws and the thrust blocks springs 24 surroundstems 24 formed on these thrust blocks and directed through the `boresof the adjusting screws. The adjusting screws may be locked in positionby lock nuts 24. The head of the T is preferably provided with straps 25engaging the seat and with other pivot straps 26 for engagement with theusual seat cover 27.

To the head of the T is Secured an arm 28, the' free end of which isengaged with one end of a bent lever 29 pivoted upon a suitablysupported bracket- 30 held ,n position by the attaching screw 22" of oneof the pivot eyes 22. This bracket is preferably mounted upon the bowl14, as illustrated, and has its second end engaged with a rod 31, theopthrough a guide 32 and provided with a contact 33 opposing thestationary spring connected in the circuit of the motor 35 of the fan20. The rod 31 has a threaded portion upon which ismounted a. nut 36between posite end of which is slidably directed 'tact 34. The Contacts'33 and 34 are con- 'the open position.

which nut hnd the guide 32 a spring 37surtacts 33 and 34. When weight isapplied to the seatthe downward movement thereof brings the gasket 13 inscaling engagement with the bowl 14 aid through the arm 28,

lever 29 and rod 31 brings the Contacts 33 and 34 into engagenent,closing the circuit' of the fan and causing the air within the bowl tobecome exhausted.

-In order that a plurality of bowls may be connected in series with thesingle ventilator fan 'or ventilation thereby, I form the end of the T'head which engages with the swivel coupling 18 with a seat 38 for abutterfiy valve 39. In the present instance, the swivel coupling isshown as an interiorly threaded sleeve 40 having engagement with each ofthe T head and the Conduit 19. This sleeve is fixed to the T head 16 bythe stem 41 of the valve which is directed therethrough and is providedexteriorly of the Conduit with an arm 42, the free end of which islongitudinally slotted, as at 43. Secured to'the adjacent pivot eye 22is a fixed member 44, the extremity of which operates in the slo't 43 ofthe arm 42. When the T head 16 is in its normal or elevated position,the arm is horizontally disposed and the valve 39 is closed. As the Thead is depressed, the arm, by its engagenent with the fixed member 44,has its free end elevated, with the result that the stern 41 ot thevalve is rotated and the valve moved to It will be obvious that duringoperation of the fan, ventilation of any seat except an occupied seatwill be prevented.

Since the Construction lereinbefore set forth is obviously' capable of acertain range of change and modification without materially departingfrom the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specificstructure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1-. In combination with a closet bowl, pivot eyes havingvertically elongated openings formed therein, a seat including aventilator chamber communicuting with the interior ot' the bowl, aconduit incommunication with the chnnber and engaged in said eyes, meansin said eyes normally resiliently maintaining the conduit in elevatedposition within the eyes and yielding when the seat is occupied topcrnit the rear end of the seat to move downwardly, an exhaust fan.connnunicating with the conduit, a valve in the Conduit normally closingcommunication between the cxluust fan and the conduit and means operatedby depression of the seat for opening said valve.

2. In combination with u closet bowl, pivot eyes having verticullyelongated openings forned therein a seat including a ventilator chambercommunicating'with the interior of the bowl, a Conduit in communicationwith the chamber and engaged in said eyes, means in said eyes normallyresiliently maintaining the conduit in elevated position within the eyesand yielding when the seat is occupied to permit the rcar end ot' theseat to move downwzrdly, an exhiust fan comnunictin g with the conduit,u valve in the Conduit normally closing communication between theexhaust fan and the Conduit, means operated by depression ol' the seat'for opening said valve including a sten for said valve, an arm uponsaid stem und a fixed member carred by one of said eyes and having aterminal. portion engaged in a slot fol-med in said arm.

In testimony whereof I hereunto nflix ny signature.

- FRANK MAHNKEN.

